It's hard to believe that Seamus Heaney, one of the most feted and famous poets in literary history, died ten years ago this August 30th.
This landmark anniversary will be marked by two performances of Sweeney, a song cycle composed by Neil Martin based on the Derry poet's 1983 work, Sweeney Astray, the first in a lunchtime concert on Tuesday 15 August at the National Concert Hall, 1.05pm, the second on Wednesday 16 August in a concert at St Canice's Cathedral at 7.30pm as part of the Kilkenny Arts Festival.
Heaney's adaptation stems from his own translation of the 7th century Irish saga, Buile Shuibhne, a celebrated medieval tale about Suibhne mac Colmáin, king of the Dál nAraidi, who was driven mad by the curse of Saint Rónán Finn - not to be confused with the Shamrock Rovers midfielder of the same name.
It addresses issues that are still highly pertinent in the 21st century, such as the conflict between the natural and human-made world, race, religion, family, how we interact with our fellow human beings, and mental health.
Ciarán Hinds will narrate Sweeney, while one of this country's finest voices, the inimitable Iarla Ó Lionáird, will adapt it into song. Intriguingly, Ó Lionáird and Heaney have one fascinating thing in common, as they are both connected by Carysfort College in Blackrock, which was the national institution for training primary school teachers between 1877 and 1988.
Before his singing career, Ó Lionáird trained as a teacher and graduated with a Bachelor of Education degree. He served as a primary school teacher for seven years before pursuing his love of seán nós and singing full-time, enjoying a glittering career as a vocalist for Afro Celt Soundsystem and The Gloaming.
Meanwhile, Heaney was a member of the academic staff at Carysfort. Other illustrious past academics at the college include Éamon de Valera, who was Professor of Mathematics from 1906 until the Easter Rising in 1916, organist and composer Vincent O'Brien, writer Sophia Hillan, and former senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell.
Joining Ó Lionáird for the performances, the RTÉ Concert Orchestra will be under the baton of David Brophy, who conducted the National Chamber Choir of Ireland, the Dublin Orchestral Players, and the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, before being appointed Principal Conductor of the RTÉ Concert Orchestra (RTÉCO). Brophy conducted at the opening ceremony for the Special Olympics in 2012, and for the late Queen Elizabeth II in the National Convention Centre in 2011. Proceedings will be presented by Liz Nolan of RTÉ Lyric FM. The lunchtime concert in the NCH will be presented by Liz Nolan of RTÉ lyric fm and John Kelly will interview composer Neil Martin before the Kilkenny performance.
Heaney's Sweeney is also a marvellous mediation on the power of nature. "I prefer the elusive rhapsody of blackbirds to the garrulous blather of men and women," he writes.
This is a once in a lifetime chance to savour something very special on the tenth anniversary of the death of one of our most treasured writers.
The RTÉ Concert Orchestra presents Sweeney on Tuesday August 15th at 1.05pm in the National Concert Hall and on Wednesday August 16th at 7.30pm in St Canice's Cathedral as part of the Kilkenny Arts Festival.
